Apr.30 (GMM) On Thursday evening at Paris' Hotel Matignon, Michael Schumacher accepted the Legion d'honneur prize from French prime minister Francois Fillon.

Among the guests at the ceremony were the seven time world champion's friend, former Ferrari boss and current FIA president Jean Todt, as well as ex-F1 driver Jean Alesi.

"To find a relevant comparison (to Schumacher), one must go back to the origins of formula one and the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio, your only rival," Fillon is quoted by French media as having said to the 41-year-old German.

Earlier this month, Lotus team principal and AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes received the same French decoration for his contributions to aviation.

Established by Napoleon in 1802, the Officier of the Legion d'honneur is the highest honour the government of France can award to a non-French citizen.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version